Maria Harris
Dardanelle,AR
Summary
Dynamic Cook Operator with a proven track record at multiple locations excelling in food safety and quality control. Adept at enhancing team collaboration and streamlining kitchen operations, I consistently deliver high-quality dishes while effectively managing time and multitasking in fast-paced environments. Committed to maintaining exceptional standards and fostering a positive workplace. With 15 years under my belt, I can confidently handle front of the house customers to chopping onions as prep.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Cook Operator
Premium Protein Products
3433 Bernice Ave Russellville Arkansas 72802
10.2019 - 06.2025
- Operated cooking equipment to prepare high-quality protein products efficiently.
- Ensured compliance with safety and sanitation standards during food preparation processes.
- Collaborated with team members to streamline production workflows and maintain consistency.
- Monitored inventory levels of ingredients and supplies to support timely production needs.
- Assisted in training new staff on proper cooking techniques and operational procedures.
- Implemented quality control measures to enhance product standards and reduce waste.
- Performed routine fry-ups to monitor product color and quality and meet corporate standards.
- Contributed to a positive work environment by fostering open communication channels among team members regarding best practices and areas for improvement.
Cook
Dearview Nursing Home
502 West Penninton Ola, Arkansas 72853
03.2015 - 02.2017
- Prepared nutritious meals adhering to dietary guidelines for residents' diverse nutritional needs.
- Maintained high standards of food safety and sanitation in compliance with health regulations.
- Collaborated with nursing staff to modify menus based on resident preferences and dietary restrictions.
- Assisted in inventory management, ensuring availability of fresh ingredients and supplies.
- Maintained clean and organized work areas at all times to bring safety and quality to food preparation process.
- Maintained a clean and sanitary workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Prepared meals efficiently under time constraints for timely service during peak hours.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills, managing multiple orders simultaneously without sacrificing quality or presentation.
- Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
- Managed time by organizing and prioritizing kitchen duties to prepare and serve food quickly.
Deli Associate
Walmart
2409 East Main Russellville Arkansas 72802
10.2008 - 12.2010
- Provided exceptional customer service by assisting customers with deli product selections.
- Operated slicing and packaging equipment efficiently to prepare fresh deli items.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of deli display cases to enhance presentation.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure timely restocking of inventory on shelves.
- Adhered to food safety standards while handling and storing perishable products.
- Assisted in training new associates on deli procedures and equipment usage.
- Monitored stock levels and reported shortages to management for timely replenishment.
- Engaged in upselling techniques to promote specialty deli products during customer interactions.
- Carefully prepared orders by slicing, weighing, and packaging cheeses and meats and accurately calculated prices.
- Effectively managed time-sensitive tasks such as food preparation for large catering orders while balancing day-to-day responsibilities of serving customers.
- Collaborated with team members to efficiently complete daily tasks and consistently meet customer needs.
- Maintained clean, trash-free workspaces to maximize productivity and safety.
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Made food according to standard recipes with requested changes for customer satisfaction.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking abilities while managing multiple orders simultaneously without sacrificing quality or accuracy.
Server
Shoney's Restaurant
2320 N. Arkansas Ave Russellville Arkansas 72802
05.1997 - 08.1999
- Provided excellent customer service in fast-paced dining environment.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to ensure timely order delivery.
- Managed cash register transactions accurately and efficiently.
- Assisted in training new servers on menu items and service protocols.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of dining area and tables.
- Handled customer inquiries and resolved issues promptly to enhance satisfaction.
- Adhered to health and safety regulations during food handling processes.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills by managing multiple tables simultaneously without compromising service quality.
- Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
- Collaborated with team members during busy shifts for efficient workflow and excellent guest experiences.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Provided attentive service during high-volume periods without sacrificing attention to detail or guest rapport.
Restaurant Hostess
Mather Lodge
1069 Petit Jean Mountain Road Morriton, Arkansas
11.1995 - 05.1997
- Greeted and welcomed guests, ensuring a positive first impression of dining experience.
- Managed reservation system, optimizing seating arrangements for efficient table turnover.
- Assisted in training new hostesses on customer service protocols and operational procedures.
- Coordinated with kitchen and waitstaff to communicate special requests and dietary restrictions.
- Monitored dining room atmosphere, addressing guest concerns to enhance satisfaction levels.
- Organized waiting lists during peak hours, maintaining effective communication with guests.
- Handled high-pressure situations gracefully, managing multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining a calm demeanor.
- Answered customer questions about hours, seating, and menu information.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by greeting and seating guests promptly upon arrival.
- Provided exceptional service through friendly interactions with customers, answering questions and addressing concerns.
Cook
Tastee Freeze
1050 Fourch Ave Perryville, Arkansas 72126
09.1993 - 06.1996
- Trained new kitchen staff on food preparation techniques and safety protocols.
- Developed seasonal menus to enhance dining experience while minimizing waste.
- Streamlined meal preparation processes, improving service efficiency during peak hours.
- Implemented feedback mechanisms to continually improve meal offerings based on resident satisfaction surveys.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Checked for quality, kept track of old and new items and rotated stock to confirm freshness of food and ingredients.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- Took food orders from cashiers and cooked items quickly to complete order items together and serve hot.
- Reduced food waste significantly by implementing proper portion control and storage techniques.
- Created identical dishes numerous times daily with consistent care, attention to detail, and quality.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by consistently delivering high-quality, visually appealing dishes.
- Communicated closely with servers to fully understand special orders for customers.
- Enhanced teamwork within the kitchen staff by fostering a collaborative environment focused on meeting high standards of quality and efficiency.
Education
High School Diploma -
Perry Casa High School
Casa, AR05-1997
Skills
Food safety
Knife skills
Adaptability in kitchen
Sanitation protocols
Food presentation
Measuring ingredients
Kitchen equipment operation
Allergen awareness
Food storage practices
Recipe development
Garnishing techniques
Batch cooking
Cooking temperatures
Prep work efficiency
Recipe scaling
Workstation organization
Food preparation
Stock rotation
Food storage
Temperature monitoring
Dietary restrictions
Teamwork and collaboration
Problem-solving
Time management
Reliable and responsible
Attention to detail
Problem-solving abilities
Cleaning and sanitization
Multitasking
Collaboration and teamwork
Timeline
Cook Operator
Premium Protein Products
10.2019 - 06.2025
Cook
Dearview Nursing Home
03.2015 - 02.2017
Deli Associate
Walmart
10.2008 - 12.2010
Server
Shoney's Restaurant
05.1997 - 08.1999
Restaurant Hostess
Mather Lodge
11.1995 - 05.1997
Cook
Tastee Freeze
09.1993 - 06.1996
High School Diploma -
Perry Casa High School